Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a display panel and a touch sensing unit on the display panel. The touch sensing unit includes a plurality of first touch sensing parts arranged with each other along a first direction and having a mesh shape, a first connection part configured to connect adjacent ones of the first touch sensing parts to each other along the first direction, a plurality of second touch sensing parts arranged with each other along a second direction crossing the first direction and having the mesh shape, and a second connection part configured to connect adjacent ones of the second touch sensing parts to each other along the second direction. An insulation layer is located between the first connection part and the second connection part, and the first connection part extends to cross the adjacent ones of the second touch sensing parts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/231,855, filed Apr. 15, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/658,178, filed Jul. 24, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.11,023,058, which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2016-0097488, filed Jul. 29, 2016, the entire contentof all of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic equipment for providing an image to a user (such assmartphones, digital cameras, laptop computers, navigation units, andsmart televisions), includes a display apparatus for displaying animage. The display apparatus may include a display panel that generatesand displays an image and an input device, such as a keyboard, a mouse,or a touch panel.

The touch panel is disposed above the display panel to generate an inputsignal when a user touches the touch panel. The input signal generatedin the touch panel is provided to the display panel, and the displaypanel provides an image corresponding to the input signal in response tothe input signal received from the touch panel.

In recent years, display apparatuses having various shapes have beendeveloped with an advance in related technologies. For example, aflexible display apparatus that is deformed in a curved shape or isfoldable or rollable is being developed. Also, a method for improvingreliability of the touch panel used in the flexible display apparatus isdesired.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward adisplay apparatus having improved reliability.

According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a display apparatusincludes a display panel and a touch sensing unit on the display panel.The touch sensing unit includes a plurality of first touch sensing partsarranged with each other along a first direction and having a meshshape, a first connection part configured to connect adjacent ones ofthe first touch sensing parts to each other along the first direction, aplurality of second touch sensing parts arranged with each other along asecond direction crossing the first direction and having the mesh shape,and a second connection part configured to connect adjacent ones of thesecond touch sensing parts to each other along the second direction. Aninsulation layer is located between the first connection part and thesecond connection part, in some areas of the adjacent ones of the secondtouch sensing parts, and the first connection part extends parallel to apart of mesh lines of the adjacent ones of the second touch sensingparts and to cross another part of the mesh lines of the adjacent onesof the second touch sensing parts.

In an embodiment, the first connection part may not overlap the secondconnection part.

In an embodiment, the insulation layer may be on the first connectionpart, and the plurality of first touch sensing parts, the plurality ofsecond touch sensing parts, and the second connection part may be on theinsulation layer.

In an embodiment, the adjacent ones of the second touch sensing partsmay include a third sub-touch sensing part, and a fourth sub-touchsensing part, the first connection part may include a first extensionpart crossing the third sub-touch sensing part to connect the adjacentones of the first touch sensing parts to each other, and a secondextension part having a structure that is substantially symmetrical tothe first extension part and crossing the fourth sub-touch sensing partto connect the adjacent ones of the first touch sensing parts to eachother. The second connection part may be located between the firstextension part and the second extension part.

In an embodiment, the adjacent ones of the first touch sensing parts mayinclude a first sub-touch sensing part, and a second sub-touch sensingpart with the first sub-touch sensing part on a plane that is parallelto the first and second directions.

In an embodiment, the second connection part may have a mesh structureand may connect the third sub-touch sensing part to the fourth sub-touchsensing part.

In an embodiment, an area of the first extension part near a first endof the first extension part may be connected to the first sub-touchsensing part, an area of the first extension part near a second endopposite to the first end of the first extension part may be connectedto the second sub-touch sensing part, and the first extension part mayextend to cross the third sub-touch sensing part.

In an embodiment, an area of the second extension part near a first endof the second extension part may be connected to the first sub-touchsensing part, an area of the second extension part near a second endopposite to the first end of the second extension part may be connectedto the second sub-touch sensing part, and the second extension part mayextend to cross the fourth sub-touch sensing part.

In an embodiment, each of the first and second sub-touch sensing partsmay include a plurality of first branch parts extending in a firstdiagonal direction crossing the first and second directions on theplane, and a plurality of second branch parts extending in a seconddiagonal direction crossing the first diagonal direction on the plane tocross the first branch parts, the second branch parts being connected tothe first branch parts, and each of the third and fourth sub-touchsensing parts may include a plurality of third branch parts extending inthe first diagonal direction, and a plurality of fourth branch partsextending in the second diagonal direction to cross the third branchparts, the fourth branch parts being connected to the third branchparts.

In an embodiment, the first extension part may include a firstsub-extension part extending in the first diagonal direction, a secondsub-extension part extending in the first diagonal direction, the secondsub-extension part having a length that is less than a length of thefirst sub-extension part, a third sub-extension part extending in thesecond diagonal direction, a fourth sub-extension part extending in thesecond diagonal direction, the fourth sub-extension part having a lengththat is less than a length of the third sub-extension part, a firstsub-connection part extending in the second diagonal direction, and asecond sub-connection part extending in the first diagonal direction. Anarea of the first sub-extension part near a first end of the firstsub-extension part and an area of the second sub-extension part near afirst end of the second sub-extension part may be connected to the firstsub-touch sensing part, an area of the third sub-extension part near afirst end of the third sub-extension part and an area of the fourthsub-extension part near a first end of the fourth sub-extension part maybe connected to the second sub-touch sensing part, a second end of thefirst sub-extension part opposite to the first end of the firstsub-extension part may be connected to a second end of the thirdsub-extension part opposite to the first end of the third sub-extensionpart, a second end of the second sub-extension part opposite to thefirst end of the second sub-extension part may be connected to a secondend of the fourth sub-extension part opposite to the first end of thefourth sub-extension part, the first sub-connection part may extend fromthe second end of the fourth sub-extension part in the second diagonaldirection and may be connected to the first sub-extension part, and thesecond sub-connection part may extend from the second end of the secondsub-extension part in the first diagonal direction and may be connectedto the third sub-extension part.

In an embodiment, the first to fourth sub-extension parts and the firstand second sub-connection parts may be integrated with each other.

In an embodiment, the first and second sub-extension parts may extend tocross ones of the fourth branch parts from among the plurality of fourthbranch parts of the third sub-touch sensing part, and the third andfourth sub-extension parts may extend to cross ones of the third branchparts from among the plurality of third branch parts of the thirdsub-touch sensing part.

In an embodiment, the third branch parts of the third sub-touch sensingpart may not overlap the first and second sub-extension parts and thesecond sub-connection part, the fourth branch parts of the thirdsub-touch sensing part may not overlap the third and fourthsub-extension parts and the first sub-connection part, and the fourthsub-touch sensing part may have a structure that is substantiallysymmetrical to a structure of the third sub-touch sensing part.

In an embodiment, the second extension part may include a fifthsub-extension part, a sixth sub-extension part, a seventh sub-extensionpart, an eighth sub-extension part, a third sub-connection part, and afourth sub-connection part, which respectively have structures that arerespectively symmetrical to the first sub-extension part, the secondsub-extension part, the third sub-extension part, the fourthsub-extension part, the first sub-connection part, and the secondsub-connection part.

In an embodiment, an area of each of the first to eighth sub-extensionparts near respective first ends of the first to eighth sub-extensionparts may be respectively connected to one of the first sub-touchsensing part or the second sub-touch sensing part through a plurality ofcontact holes defined in the insulation layer.

In an embodiment, an area of each of the first to eighth sub-extensionparts near respective first ends of the first to eighth sub-extensionparts may be respectively connected to one of the first sub-touchsensing part or the second sub-touch sensing part through one contacthole defined in the insulation layer.

In an embodiment, the first end of the first sub-extension part may beconnected to a first end of the fifth sub-extension part, the first endof the second sub-extension part may be connected to a first end of thesixth sub-extension part, the first end of the third sub-extension partmay be connected to a first end of the seventh sub-extension part, andthe first end of the fourth sub-extension part may be connected to afirst end of the eighth sub-extension part. The first ends of the firstand fifth sub-extension parts may share one contact hole defined in theinsulation layer and may be connected to the first sub-touch sensingpart, the first ends of the second and sixth sub-extension parts mayshare one contact hole defined in the insulation layer and may beconnected to the first sub-touch sensing part, the first ends of thethird and seventh sub-extension parts may share one contact hole definedin the insulation layer and may be connected to the second sub-touchsensing part, and the first ends of the fourth and eighth sub-extensionparts may share one contact hole defined in the insulation layer and maybe connected to the second sub-touch sensing part.

In an embodiment, the area of the first sub-extension part near thefirst end of the first sub-extension part, the area of the secondsub-extension part near the first end of the second sub-extension part,an area of the fifth sub-extension part near the first end of the fifthsub-extension part, and an area of the sixth sub-extension part near thefirst end of the sixth sub-extension part may be connected to the firstsub-touch sensing part through a plurality of contact holes defined inthe insulation layer, and the area of the third sub-extension part nearthe first end of the third sub-extension part, the area of the fourthsub-extension part near the first end of the fourth sub-extension part,an area of the seventh sub-extension part near the first end of theseventh sub-extension part, and an area of the eighth sub-extension partnear the first end of the eighth sub-extension part may be connected tothe second sub-touch sensing part through a plurality of contact holesdefined in the insulation layer.

In an embodiment, the display panel may include a non-bent area and abent area that is adjacent to the non-bent area, the first connectionpart may be located in the first bent area and may include a pluralityof protrusions, which respectively protrude from a connection portionbetween the first sub-extension part and the third sub-extension part ineach of the first and second diagonal directions, from the firstsub-connection part in the second diagonal direction to protrude furtheroutwardly than the first sub-extension part, and from the secondsub-connection part in the first diagonal direction to protrude furtheroutwardly than the third sub-extension part, and the protrusions mayoverlap adjacent third and fourth branch parts.

In an embodiment, the first extension part may include a firstsub-extension part extending in a first diagonal direction crossing thefirst and second directions on the plane, and a second sub-extensionpart extending in a second diagonal direction crossing the firstdiagonal direction on the plane. The second extension part may include athird sub-extension part and a fourth sub-extension part, each of whichhas a structure substantially symmetrical to a structure of the firstsub-extension part and the second sub-extension part, respectively. Anarea of the first sub-extension part near a first end of the firstsub-extension part and an area of the third sub-extension part near afirst end of the third sub-extension part may be connected to the firstsub-touch sensing part, an area of the second sub-extension part near afirst end of the second sub-extension part and an area of the fourthsub-extension part near a first end of the fourth sub-extension part maybe connected to the second sub-touch sensing part, a second end of thefirst sub-extension part opposite to the first end of the firstsub-extension part may be connected to a second end of the secondsub-extension part opposite to the first end of the second sub-extensionpart, and a second end of the third sub-extension part opposite to thefirst end of the third sub-extension part may be connected to a secondend of the fourth sub-extension part opposite to the first end of thefourth sub-extension part.

In an embodiment, the areas of each of the first to fourth sub-extensionparts may be respectively connected to one of the first sub-touchsensing part or the second sub-touch sensing part through one contacthole defined in the insulation layer.

In an embodiment, the areas of each of the first to fourth sub-extensionparts may be respectively connected to one of the first sub-touchsensing part or the second sub-touch sensing part through a plurality ofcontact holes defined in the insulation layer.

In an embodiment, the first end of the first sub-extension part may beconnected to the first end of the third sub-extension part, the firstend of the second sub-extension part may be connected to the first endof the fourth sub-extension part, the first ends of the first and thirdsub-extension parts may share one contact hole defined in the insulationlayer and are connected to the first sub-touch sensing part, and thefirst ends of the second and fourth sub-extension parts may share onecontact hole defined in the insulation layer and are connected to thesecond sub-touch sensing part.

In an embodiment, the area of the first sub-extension part and the areaof the third sub-extension part may be connected to the first sub-touchsensing part through a plurality of contact holes defined in theinsulation layer, and the area of the second sub-extension part and thearea of the fourth sub-extension part may be connected to the secondsub-touch sensing part through a plurality of contact holes defined inthe insulation layer.

In an embodiment, the first extension part may include a firstsub-extension part extending in a first diagonal direction crossing thefirst and second directions on the plane, a second sub-extension parthaving a length that is less than a length of the first sub-extensionpart and extending in the first diagonal direction, a thirdsub-extension part extending in a second diagonal direction crossing thefirst diagonal direction on the plane, a fourth sub-extension parthaving a length that is less than a length of the third sub-extensionpart and extending in the second diagonal direction. The secondextension part may include fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthsub-extension parts, which respectively have structures that aresubstantially symmetrical to the first, second, third, and fourthsub-extension parts. An area of each of the first, second, fifth, andsixth sub-extension parts near respective first ends of each of thefirst, second, fifth, and sixth sub-extension parts may be respectivelyconnected to the first sub-touch sensing part, an area of each of thethird, fourth, seventh, and eighth sub-extension parts near respectivefirst ends of each of the third, fourth, seventh, and eighthsub-extension parts may be respectively connected to the secondsub-touch sensing part, and a second end of the first sub-extension partopposite to the first end of the first sub-extension part may beconnected to a second end of the third sub-extension part opposite tothe first end of the third sub-extension part, a second end of thesecond sub-extension part opposite to the first end of the secondsub-extension part may be connected to a second end of fourthsub-extension part opposite to the first end of the fourth sub-extensionpart, a second end of the fifth sub-extension part opposite to the firstend of the fifth sub-extension part may be connected to a second end ofthe seventh sub-extension part opposite to the first end of the seventhsub-extension part, and a second end of the sixth sub-extension partopposite to the first end of the sixth sub-extension part may beconnected to a second end of the eighth sub-extension part opposite tothe first end of the eighth sub-extension part.

In an embodiment, the areas of each of the first to eighth sub-extensionparts may be respectively connected to one of the first sub-touchsensing part or the second sub-touch sensing part through one contacthole defined in the insulation layer.

In an embodiment, the areas of each of the first to eighth sub-extensionparts may be respectively connected to one of the first sub-touchsensing part or the second sub-touch sensing part through a plurality ofcontact holes defined in the insulation layer.

In an embodiment, the first end of the first sub-extension part may beconnected to the first end of the fifth sub-extension part, the firstend of the second sub-extension part may be connected to the first endof the sixth sub-extension part, the first end of the thirdsub-extension part may be connected to the first end of the seventhsub-extension part, and the first end of the fourth sub-extension partmay be connected to the first end of the eighth sub-extension part, thefirst ends of the first and fifth sub-extension parts may share onecontact hole defined in the insulation layer and are connected to thefirst sub-touch sensing part, and the first ends of the second and sixthsub-extension parts may share one contact hole defined in the insulationlayer and are connected to the first sub-touch sensing part, and thefirst ends of the third and seventh sub-extension parts may share onecontact hole defined in the insulation layer and may be connected to thesecond sub-touch sensing part, and the first ends of the fourth andeighth sub-extension parts may share one contact hole defined in theinsulation layer and may be connected to the second sub-touch sensingpart.

In an embodiment, the area of the first sub-extension part, the area ofthe second sub-extension part, the area of the fifth sub-extension partmand the area of the sixth sub-extension part, may be respectivelyconnected to the first sub-touch sensing part through a plurality ofcontact holes defined in the insulation layer, and the area of the thirdsub-extension part, the area of the fourth sub-extension part, the areaof the seventh sub-extension part, and the area of the eighthsub-extension part may be respectively connected to the second sub-touchsensing part through a plurality of control holes defined in theinsulation layer.

In an embodiment, the display panel may include a plurality of pixelareas each of the pixel areas having a parallelogram shape, and anon-pixel area between the pixel areas. The pixel areas may have sizesthat are different from each other according to colors to be displayed,and the first and second touch sensing parts having the mesh shape mayoverlap the non-pixel area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of embodiments of the inventive concept, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and,together with the description, serve to explain principles of theinventive concept. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation of adisplay apparatus according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a second operation of thedisplay apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating a third operation of thedisplay apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of an organic light emitting display panelaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a display module according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 6A is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 6B-6C are cross-sectional views of the pixel of FIG. 6A;

FIGS. 7A-7C are cross-sectional views of thin film encapsulation layersaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a touch sensing unit according toan embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 8B is a plan view of a touch sensing unit according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 8C-8E are plan views respectively illustrating layers of the touchsensing unit of FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a first area of FIG. 8B;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of a second area of FIG. 8B;

FIG. 10B is a plan view illustrating first and second touch sensingparts and a second connection part of the second area of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a plan view illustrating a first connection part of thesecond area of FIG. 10A; and

FIGS. 11-24 are plan views illustrating a portion of a touch sensingunit according to various embodiments of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and features of the inventive concept, and implementationmethods thereof will be clarified through following embodimentsdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. The presentdisclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should notbe construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive conceptto those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, andtechniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in theart for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of thepresent disclosure may not be described. Further, the present disclosureis only defined by the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being“on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it canbe directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer,or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” anotherelement or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer isreferred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be theonly element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or moreintervening elements or layers may also be present. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “above”, “upper,” “left,”“right,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or in operation, in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or“under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” theother elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under”can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may beotherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations)and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpretedaccordingly.

It will be understood that although terms such as “first,” “second,”etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, orsection from another element, component, region, layer, or section.Accordingly, a first element, a first component, a first region, a firstlayer, or a first section could be termed a second element, a secondcomponent, a second region, a second layer, or a second section, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of the stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list ofelements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify theindividual elements of the list.

As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and similar termsare used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and areintended to account for the inherent variations in measured orcalculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of thepresent disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.” In addition, the use of alternative language, such as “or,”when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, refers to “one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure” for each corresponding itemlisted. As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may beconsidered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and“utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended torefer to an example or illustration.

The electronic or electric devices and/or any other relevant devices orcomponents according to embodiments of the present disclosure describedherein may be implemented utilizing any suitable hardware, firmware(e.g. an application-specific integrated circuit), software, or acombination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, thevarious components of these devices may be formed on one integratedcircuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips. Further, the variouscomponents of these devices may be implemented on a flexible printedcircuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board(PCB), or formed on one substrate. Further, the various components ofthese devices may be a process or thread, running on one or moreprocessors, in one or more computing devices, executing computer programinstructions and interacting with other system components for performingthe various functionalities described herein. The computer programinstructions are stored in a memory which may be implemented in acomputing device using a standard memory device, such as, for example, arandom access memory (RAM). The computer program instructions may alsobe stored in other non-transitory computer readable media such as, forexample, a CD-ROM, flash drive, or the like. Also, a person of skill inthe art should recognize that the functionality of various computingdevices may be combined or integrated into a single computing device, orthe functionality of a particular computing device may be distributedacross one or more other computing devices without departing from thespirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/orthe present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealizedor overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

The embodiments in the detailed description may be described withschematic cross-sectional views and/or plan views as exemplary views ofthe inventive concept. Accordingly, shapes of the exemplary views may bemodified according to manufacturing techniques and/or allowable errors.Therefore, the embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited tothe specific shape illustrated in the exemplary views, but may includeother shapes that may be created according to manufacturing processes.Areas exemplified in the drawings have general properties, and are usedto illustrate a specific shape of a semiconductor package region. Thus,this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the inventiveconcept.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept aredescribed below in more detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation of adisplay apparatus DD according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept. FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a second operationof the display apparatus DD of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a perspective viewillustrating a third operation of the display apparatus DD of FIG. 1A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the display apparatus DD that is capable ofbeing applied to a smartphone is illustrated as an embodiment of theinventive concept. However, embodiments of the inventive concept are notlimited thereto. For example, the display apparatus DD according to anembodiment of the inventive concept may be applied to any suitableelectronic devices such as, for example, televisions, personalcomputers, laptop computers, navigation units for vehicles, gameconsoles, acoustic electronic devices, smart watches, and cameras. Theabove-described devices are merely exemplary embodiments, and thus, thedisplay apparatus DD may be adopted for (or applied to) other electronicdevices without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, in a first operation mode as illustrated inFIG. 1A, a display surface IS on which an image IM is displayed may beparallel to a surface that is defined by a first directional axis DR1and a second directional axis DR2 crossing the first directional axisDR1. A normal direction of the display surface IS, e.g., a thicknessdirection of the display apparatus DD, is referred to herein as a thirddirectional axis DR3. A front surface (or first surface or top surface)and a rear surface (or second surface or bottom surface) of componentsof the display apparatus DD are distinguished by the third directionalaxis DR3. However, directions indicated as the first to thirddirectional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3 may be a relative concept and thusmay be changed into different directions. Hereinafter, the first tothird directions may be directions indicated by the first to thirddirectional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3 and designated by the same referencenumerals, respectively.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a foldable display apparatus as an example of theflexible display apparatus DD. Alternatively, the display apparatus DDmay be a rollable or bendable display apparatus, but embodiments of theinventive concept are not limited thereto. The display apparatus DDaccording to the present embodiment may be a flat rigid displayapparatus, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the display surface IS of the flexibledisplay apparatus DD may include a plurality of areas. The flexibledisplay apparatus DD may include a display area DD-DA on which the imageIM is displayed (e.g., a display area DD-DA that is configured todisplay the image IM) and a non-display area DD-NDA that is adjacent tothe display area DD-DA. The non-display area DD-NDA may be an area onwhich an image is not displayed (e.g., the non-display area DD-NDA maybe an area that is not configured to display the image IM). FIG. 1Aillustrates a flower vase as an example of the image IM. For example,the display area DD-DA may have a rectangular shape. The non-displayarea DD-NDA may surround the display area DD-DA (e.g., may surround thedisplay area DD-DA along the first and second directional axes DR1 andDR2). However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limitedthereto. For example, the display area DD-DA and the non-display areaDD-NDA may be relatively designed in shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the display apparatus DD may include aplurality of areas defined according to respective forms of operations.The display apparatus DD may include a bent area BA that is bent along(or on the basis of) a bending axis BX, a first non-bent area NBA1 thatis not bent (or is not configured to bend), and a second non-bent areaNBA2 that is not bent (or is not configured to bend). As illustrated inFIG. 1B, the display apparatus DD may be bent inwardly to allow thedisplay surface IS of the first non-bent area NBA1 (e.g., a firstportion of the display surface IS in the first non-bent area NBA1) andthe display surface IS of the second non-bent area NBA2 (e.g., a secondportion of the display surface IS in the second non-bent area NBA2) toface each other. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the display apparatus DD maybe bent outwardly to allow the display surface IS to be exposed to theoutside.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the display apparatus DD mayinclude a plurality of bent areas BA. In addition, the bent areas BA maybe defined to correspond to a user's operations for manipulating thedisplay apparatus DD. For example, the bent areas BA may be defined in adirection parallel to the first directional axis DR1 or defined in adiagonal direction, unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1B and1C. The bent area BA may be defined (or determined) according to acurvature radius thereof without fixing an area thereof. In anembodiment of the inventive concept, the display apparatus DD may have ashape in which only an operation mode of FIGS. 1A and 1B is repeated (orrepeatable).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus DD of FIG. 1 .FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section defined by the second directionalaxis DR2 and the third directional axis DR3.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the display apparatus DD includes a protectionfilm PM, a display module DM, an optical member LM, a window WM, a firstadhesion member AM1, a second adhesion member AM2, and a third adhesionmember AM3. The display module DM is disposed between the protectionfilm PM and the optical member LM. The optical member LM is disposedbetween the display module DM and the window WM. The first adhesionmember AM1 is coupled to the display module DM and the protection filmPM, the second adhesion member AM2 is coupled to the display module DMand the optical member LM, and the third adhesion member AM3 is coupledto the optical member LM and the window WM.

The protection film PM protects the display module DM. The protectionfilm PM provides a first outer surface OS-L that is exposed to theoutside and an adhesion surface that adheres to the first adhesionmember AM1. The protection film PM prevents external moisture from beingpermeated into the display module DM, or reduces the likelihood thereof,and absorbs an external impact.

The protection film PM may include a plastic film as a base layer. Theprotection film PM may include a plastic film including one selectedfrom the group consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR),polyetherimide (PEI), polyethyelene naphthalate (PEN), polyethyeleneterepthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide(PI), polycarbonate (PC), poly(arylene ether sulfone), and a combinationthereof.

A material for forming the protection film PM is not limited to plasticresins. For example, the protection film PM may include anorganic/inorganic composite material. The protection film PM may includea porous organic layer and an inorganic material that is filled intopores of the organic layer. The protection film PM may further include afunctional layer disposed on a plastic film. The functional layer mayinclude a resin layer. The functional layer may be formed in a coatingmanner. In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the protection filmPM may be omitted.

The window WM protects the display module DM against an external impactand provides an input surface to a user. The window WM provides a secondouter surface OS-U that is exposed to the outside and an adhesionsurface that adheres to the third adhesion member AM3. The displaysurface IS of FIGS. 1A-1C may be the second outer surface OS-U.

The window WM may include a plastic film. The window WM may include amultilayered structure. The window WM may have a multilayered structureselected from a glass substrate, a plastic film, and/or a plasticsubstrate. The window WM may further include a bezel pattern. Themultilayered structure may be formed by a continuous process or anadhesion process using an adhesion layer.

The optical member LM may reduce reflectance of external light (e.g.,may be configured to reduce reflection of external light). The opticalmember LM may include at least a polarizing film. The optical member LMmay include at least a phase difference film. In an embodiment of theinventive concept, the optical member LM may be omitted.

The display module DM includes an organic light emitting display panelDP and a touch sensing unit TS. The touch sensing unit TS may be on(e.g., directly disposed on) the organic light emitting display panelDP. In this specification, the term “directly disposed” indicates that acomponent is formed through the continuous process except that thecomponent adheres by using a separate adhesion layer.

The organic light emitting display panel DP generates the image IM (seeFIG. 1A) corresponding to inputted image data. The organic lightemitting display panel DP provides a first display panel surface BS1-Land a second display panel surface BS1-U, which face each other in thethickness direction DR3. Although the organic light emitting displaypanel DP is described as an example in the present embodiment,embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited to theabove-described display panel.

The touch sensing unit TS acquires coordinate information of an externalinput. The touch sensing unit TS may sense an external input in acapacitive manner.

The display module DM according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept may further include an anti-reflection layer. Theanti-reflection layer may include a color filter and/or a laminatedstructure of a conductive layer/an insulation layer/a conductive layer.The anti-reflection layer may absorb, destructively interfere with, orpolarize light incident from the outside to reduce reflectance ofexternal light. The anti-reflection layer and the optical member LM mayhave the same function (e.g., the anti-reflection layer may substitutefor the function of the optical member LM).

Each of the first adhesion member AM1, the second adhesion member AM2,and the third adhesion member AM3 may be an organic adhesion layer suchas an optically clear adhesive film (OCA), an optically clear resin(OCR), and/or a pressure sensitive adhesive film (PSA). The organicadhesion layer may include an adhesion material such as apolyurethane-based material, a polyacrylic-based material, apolyester-based material, a polyepoxy-based material, and/or a polyvinylacetate-based material. As described below, the organic adhesion layermay cause generation of bubbles.

In some embodiments, the display apparatus DD may further include aframe structure to support the functional layers and to maintain thestate (or configurations) illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. The framestructure may include a joint structure and/or a hinge structure.

FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views of a display apparatus DD-1 accordingto an embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 3A illustrates thedisplay apparatus DD-1 in a spread (or opened) state (or openconfiguration), and FIG. 3B illustrates the display apparatus DD-1 in abent state (or bent configuration).

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, the display apparatus DD-1 may include a bentarea BA and a non-bent area NBA. A non-display area DD-NDA of thedisplay apparatus DD-1 may be bent (e.g., may be configured to be bent).However, in an embodiment of the inventive concept, the bent area BA ofthe display apparatus DD-1 and/or its location may be changed. Thenon-bent area NBA is parallel to a surface that is defined by a firstdirection DR1 and a second direction DR2. The bent area BA may be bent(e.g., may be configured to be bent) from one side of the non-bent areaNBA.

The display apparatus DD-1 according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept may be fixed in one shape to operate, unlike the displayapparatus DD illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. The display apparatus DD-1 mayoperate in the bent state (e.g., may be configured to operate in thebent state) as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The display apparatus DD-1 may befixed to a frame in the bent state, and the frame may be coupled to ahousing of an electronic device.

The display apparatus DD-1 according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept may have the same (or substantially the same) cross-sectionalstructure as that of the display apparatus DD illustrated in FIG. 2 .However, the non-bent area NBA and the bent area BA may have laminatedstructures that are different from each other. For example, the non-bentarea NBA may have the same cross-sectional structure as that of thedisplay apparatus DD illustrated in FIG. 2 , and the bent area BA mayhave a cross-sectional structure different from that of the displayapparatus DD illustrated in FIG. 2 . An optical member LM and the windowWM may not be disposed on (or in) the bent area BA. For example, theoptical member LM and the window WM may be disposed only on (or in) thenon-bent area NBA. Also, the second adhesion member AM2 and the thirdadhesion member AM3 may not be disposed on the bent area BA.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a display apparatus DD-2 according toan embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a display surface IS of the display apparatus DD-2includes a display area DD-DA, which is configured to display an image,and a non-display area DD-NDA, which is not configured to display animage. Although the non-display area DD-NDA surrounding the display areaDD-DA is exemplarily illustrated, the non-display area DD-NDA may bedisposed on one side of the display area DD-DA or may be omitted.

The display apparatus DD-2 may include one non-bent area NBA and onebent area BA. The bent area BA may be bent from one side of the non-bentarea NBA. A main image IM may be displayed on a first surface (or afront surface) of the non-bent area NBA, and a sub-image may bedisplayed on a second surface (or a side surface) of the bent area BA.For example, the display area DD-DA disposed on the non-bent area NBAmay extend to the bent area BA. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a flower vasemay be displayed as the main image IM. As an example, an icon providingpredetermined or set information may be displayed as the sub-image.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a display apparatus DD-3 according toan embodiment of the inventive concept.

The display apparatus DD-3 includes a non-bent area NBA, which isconfigured to display a main image, on a first surface (or a frontsurface) thereof and first and second bent areas BA1 and BA2, which areeach configured to display a sub-image, on respective second surfaces(or respective side surfaces) of the first and second bent areas BA1 andBA2. The first and second bent areas BA1 and BA2 may be respectivelybent from opposing sides of the non-bent area NBA.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of the organic light emitting display panel DPaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 5B is across-sectional view of a display module DM according to an embodimentof the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the organic light emitting display panel DPincludes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA on a plane. Thedisplay area DA and the non-display area NDA of the organic lightemitting display panel DP may correspond to the display area DD-DA andthe non-display area DD-NDA of the display apparatus DD, respectively.However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto,and it is unnecessary that the display area DA and the non-display areaNDA of the organic light emitting display panel DP respectivelycorrespond to the display area DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA ofthe display apparatus DD. For example, the display area DA and thenon-display area NDA of the organic light emitting display panel DP maybe changed according to a structure/design of the organic light emittingdisplay panel DP.

The organic light emitting display panel DP includes a plurality of scanlines SL, a plurality of data lines DL, a plurality of emission linesEL, a plurality of first and second initialization lines SL-Vint1 andSL-Vint2, a plurality of first power lines SL-VDD1 and SL-VDD2, a secondpower line E-VSS, a plurality of pad units PD, a plurality of signalconnection lines SCL, a scan-emission driving circuit SEDC, and aplurality of pixels PX.

The plurality of pixels PX may be disposed on the display area DA, andthe non-display area NDA may be defined along a border of the displayarea DA. The scan lines SL extend in (or along) the second direction DR2and are respectively connected to corresponding pixels PX of theplurality of pixels PX, the data lines DL extend in (or along) the firstdirection DR1 and are respectively connected to corresponding pixels PXof the plurality of pixels PX, and the emission lines EL extend in (oralong) the second direction DR2 and are respectively connected tocorresponding pixels PX of the plurality of pixels PX.

The plurality of first power lines SL-VDD1 and SL-VDD2 include aplurality of first sub-first power lines SL-VDD1 extending in (or along)the first direction DR1 and a plurality of second sub-first power linesSL-VDD2 extending in (or along) the second direction DR2 and connectedto the first sub-first power lines SL-VDD1. The second sub-first powerlines SL-VDD2 are connected to the pixels PX, and the first and secondsub-first power lines SL-VDD1 and SL-VDD2 each receive a first voltage.The first voltage may be defined as an anode voltage.

The first initialization lines SL-Vint1 extend in (or along) the firstdirection DR1, and the second initialization lines SL-Vint2 extend in(or along) the second direction DR2 and are connected to the firstinitialization lines SL-Vint1. The second initialization lines SL-Vint2are connected to the pixels PX and receive an initialization voltagefrom the first initialization lines SL-Vint1.

The scan-emission driving circuit SEDC is disposed on one side of thenon-display area NDA and connected to the scan lines SL and the emissionlines EL. The scan-emission driving circuit SEDC may receive a controlsignal through a corresponding signal connection line SCL of the signalconnection lines SCL and generate scan signals and emission signals inresponse to the received control signal. The scan lines SL receive thescan signals, and the emission lines EL receive the emission signals.

The second power line E-VSS may receive a second voltage, and the secondvoltage may be defined as a cathode voltage (or a ground voltage). Insome embodiments, the second voltage may be supplied to the pixel PXthrough the second power line E-VSS. The signal connection lines SCLconnect the scan-emission driving circuit SEDC, the data lines DL, thefirst sub-first power lines SL-VDD1, the first initialization linesSL-Vint1, and the second power line E-VSS to the pad units PD.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the organic light emitting display panel DPincludes a base layer SUB, a circuit layer DP-CL disposed on the baselayer SUB, a light emitting device layer DP-OLED disposed on the circuitlayer DP-CL within the display area DA, and a thin film encapsulationlayer TFE disposed on the circuit layer DP-CL and the light emittingdevice layer DP-OLED. The base layer SUB may include at least oneplastic film. The base layer SUB may include a plastic substrate, aglass substrate, a metal substrate, and/or an organic/inorganiccomposite substrate as a flexible substrate.

The circuit layer DP-CL may include a plurality of insulation layers, aplurality of conductive layers, and a semiconductor layer. The pluralityof conductive layers of the circuit layer DP-CL may constitute (or form)signal lines or a control circuit of one of the pixels PX. The lightemitting device layer DP-OLED may include organic light emitting diodes.The thin film encapsulation layer TFE seals the light emitting devicelayer DP-OLED.

The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include an inorganic layer andan organic layer. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include atleast two inorganic thin films and an organic thin film disposed betweenthe at least two inorganic thin films. The inorganic layers protect thelight emitting device layer DP-OLED from moisture and/or oxygen (orreduce the likelihood of penetration of moisture and/or oxygen), and theorganic layer protects the light emitting device layer DP-OLED fromforeign substances such as dust particles (or reduce the likelihood ofpenetration of foreign substances such as dust particles). The inorganiclayer may include a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, asilicon oxide layer, a titanium oxide layer, and/or an aluminum oxidelayer. The organic layer may include an acrylic-based organic layer, forexample, but embodiments of the inventive concept are not limitedthereto.

The touch sensing unit TS may be directly disposed on the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE. However, embodiments of the inventive conceptare not limited thereto. For example, a buffer layer may be disposed onthe thin film encapsulation layer TFE, and the touch sensing unit TS maybe disposed on the buffer layer disposed on the thin film encapsulationlayer TFE. The buffer layer may include an inorganic layer and/or anorganic layer. The touch sensing unit TS includes touch sensors andtouch signal lines. The touch sensors and the touch signal lines mayhave a single layer structure or a multilayered structure.

Each of the touch sensors and the touch signal lines may include indiumtin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium tinzinc oxide (ITZO), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), a metalnanowire, and/or graphene. Each of the touch sensors and the touchsignal lines may include a metal layer, such as, for example,molybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, and/or an alloy thereof.The touch sensors and the touch signal lines may have the same singlelayer structure or may have layer structures that are different fromeach other. Additional description with respect to the touch sensingunit TS is provided below.

FIG. 6A is an equivalent circuit diagram of the pixel PX according to anembodiment of the inventive concept. FIGS. 6B-6C are cross-sectionalviews of the pixel PX of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6A exemplarily illustrates an i-th pixel PXi connected to a k-thdata line DLk of the data lines DL. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view ofa portion of the i-th pixel PXi corresponding to a first transistor T1of the equivalent circuit of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional viewof portions of the i-th pixel PXi corresponding to a second transistorT2, a sixth transistor T6, and an organic light emitting diode OLED ofthe equivalent circuit of FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the i-th pixel PXi is activated (or configured tobe activated) in response to an i-th scan signal Si applied to an i-thscan line SLi. The i-th pixel PXi includes an organic light emittingdiode OLED and a pixel driving circuit controlling the organic lightemitting diode OLED. The pixel driving circuit may include seven thinfilm transistors T1-T7 (e.g., a first thin film transistor T1, a secondthin film transistor T2, a third thin film transistor T3, a fourth thinfilm transistor T4, a fifth thin film transistor T5, a sixth thin filmtransistor T6, and a seventh thin film transistor T7) and one capacitorCst. Although the pixel driving circuit including the seven thin filmtransistors T1-T7 and the one capacitor Cst is exemplarily illustrated,in some embodiments, the i-th pixel PXi may only include the firsttransistor T1 (or a driving transistor), the second transistor T2 (or aswitching transistor), and the capacitor Cst as a driving circuit fordriving the organic light emitting diode OLED, and the pixel drivingcircuit may be variously modified.

The driving transistor controls driving current supplied to the organiclight emitting diode OLED. An output electrode of the second transistorT2 is electrically connected to the organic light emitting diode OLED.The output electrode of the second transistor T2 may directly contact ananode of the organic light emitting diode OLED or may be connected tothe anode via another transistor (e.g., the sixth transistor T6 of thepresent embodiment).

A control electrode of a control transistor may receive a control signal(or may be configured to receive a control signal). A control signalapplied to the i-th pixel PXi may include an i−1-th scan signal Si−1, ani-th scan signal Si, an i+1-th scan signal Si+1, a k-th data signal Dk,and an i-th emission control signal Ei. In an embodiment of theinventive concept, the control transistor may include the firsttransistor T1 and the third to seventh transistors T3-T7.

The first transistor T1 includes an input electrode connected to a k-thdata line DLk, a control electrode connected to the i-th scan line SLi,and an output electrode connected to the output electrode of the secondtransistor T2. The first transistor T1 is turned on by the i-th scansignal Si applied to the i-th scan line SLi to provide the k-th datasignal Dk applied to the k-th data line DLk to the storage capacitorCst.

Referring to FIGS. 6B-6C, a buffer layer BFL may be disposed on the baselayer SUB. The buffer layer BFL may improve a coupling force betweenconductive patterns and/or semiconductor patterns. The buffer layer BFLmay include an inorganic layer. In some embodiments, a barrier layer forpreventing foreign substances from being introduced (or for reducing thelikelihood thereof) may be further disposed on a surface (e.g., a topsurface) of the base layer SUB. The buffer layer BFL and the barrierlayer may be selectively disposed or may be omitted.

A first semiconductor pattern OSP1 of the first transistor T1, a secondsemiconductor pattern OSP2 of the second transistor T2, and a sixthsemiconductor pattern OSP6 of the sixth transistor T6 may be disposed onthe buffer layer BFL. Each of the first, second, and sixth semiconductorpatterns OSP1, OSP2, and OSP6 may be selected from amorphous silicon,polysilicon, and/or a metal oxide semiconductor.

A first insulation layer 10 may be disposed on the first, second, andsixth semiconductor patterns OSP1, OSP2, and OSP6. Although the firstinsulation layer 10 may be provided in the form of a layer that coversthe first, second, and sixth semiconductor patterns OSP1, OSP2, and OSP6(see FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C), in some embodiments, the first insulationlayer 10 may be provided as a pattern that is disposed to correspond tothe first, second, and sixth semiconductor patterns OSP1, OSP2, andOSP6.

The first insulation layer 10 may include a plurality of inorganiclayers. The plurality of inorganic layers may include a silicon nitridelayer, a silicon oxynitride layer, and/or a silicon oxide layer.

A first control electrode GE1 of the first transistor T1, a secondcontrol electrode GE2 of the second transistor T2, and a sixth controlelectrode GE6 of the sixth transistor T6 are disposed on the firstinsulation layer 10. The first, second, and sixth control electrodesGE1, GE2, and GE6 may be manufactured by the same photolithographyprocess as the scan lines SL (see FIG. 5A).

A second insulation layer 20 covering the first, second, and sixthcontrol electrodes GE1, GE2, and GE6 may be disposed on the firstinsulation layer 10. The second insulation layer 20 may provide a flator substantially flat top surface. The second insulation layer 20 mayinclude an organic material and/or an inorganic material.

A first input electrode SE1 and a first output electrode DE1 of thefirst transistor T1, a second input electrode SE2 and a second outputelectrode DE2 of the second transistor T2, and a sixth input electrodeSE6 and a sixth output electrode DE6 of the sixth transistor T6 aredisposed on the second insulation layer 20.

The first output electrode DE1 and the first input electrode SE1 areconnected to the first semiconductor pattern OSP1 through first andsecond through-holes CH1 and CH2, which pass through the first andsecond insulation layers 10 and 20, respectively. The second outputelectrode DE2 and the second input electrode SE2 are connected to thesecond semiconductor pattern OSP2 through third and fourth through-holesCH3 and CH4, which pass through the first and second insulation layers10 and 20, respectively. The sixth output electrode DE6 and the sixthinput electrode SE6 are connected to the sixth semiconductor patternOSP6 through fifth and sixth through-holes CH5 and CH6, which passthrough the first and second insulation layers 10 and 20, respectively.According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, a portion ofthe first, second, and sixth transistors T1, T2, and T6 may have abottom gate structure.

A third insulation layer 30 covering the first, second, and sixth inputelectrodes SE1, SE2, and SE6 and the first, second, and sixth outputelectrodes DE1, DE2, and DE6 is disposed on the second insulation layer20. The third insulation layer 30 includes an organic layer and/or aninorganic layer. The third insulation layer 30 may include an organicmaterial to provide a flat or substantially flat surface.

One of the first, second, and third insulation layers 10, 20, and 30 maybe omitted according to the circuit structure of the pixel PXi. Each ofthe second and third insulation layers 20 and 30 may be defined as aninterlayer dielectric layer. The interlayer dielectric layer may bedisposed between a lower conductive pattern, which is disposed under theinterlayer dielectric layer, and an upper conductive pattern, which isdisposed above the interlayer dielectric layer, to insulate theconductive patterns from each other.

A pixel defining layer PDL and the organic light emitting diode OLED aredisposed on the third insulation layer 30. A first electrode AE isdisposed on the third insulation layer 30. The first electrode AE isconnected to the sixth input electrode SE6 through a sevenththrough-hole CH7 passing through the third insulation layer 30. Anopening OP is defined in the pixel defining layer PDL. The opening OP ofthe pixel defining layer PDL exposes at least a portion of the firstelectrode AE.

The pixel PXi may be disposed on a pixel area on a plane. The pixel areamay include an emission area PXA and a non-emission area NPXA that isadjacent to the emission area PXA. The non-emission area NPXA may bedisposed to surround the emission area PXA. In the present embodiment,the emission area PXA may be defined to correspond to a portion of thefirst electrode AE exposed by the opening OP.

A hole control layer HCL may be commonly disposed on the emission areaPXA and the non-emission area NPXA. In some embodiments, a common layersuch as the hole control layer HCL may be commonly disposed on theplurality of pixels PX (see FIG. 5A and FIG. 6C).

The emission layer EML is disposed on the hole control layer HCL. Theemission layer EML may be disposed on (or in) an area corresponding tothe opening OP. For example, the emission layer EML may be formed to beseparated from each of the plurality of pixels PX. Also, the emissionlayer EML may include an organic material and/or an inorganic material.Although the patterned emission layer EML is illustrated as an examplein the present embodiment, the emission layer EML may be commonlydisposed on the plurality of pixels PX. In some embodiments, theemission layer EML may emit white light. In some embodiments, theemission layer EML may have a multilayer structure.

An electronic control layer ECL is disposed on the emission layer EML.In some embodiments, the electronic control layer ECL may be commonlydisposed on the plurality of pixels PX (see FIG. 5A). A second electrodeCE is disposed on the electronic control layer ECL. The second electrodeCE may be commonly disposed on the plurality of pixels PX.

The thin film encapsulation layer TFE is disposed on the secondelectrode CE. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be commonlydisposed on the plurality of pixels PX. In the present embodiment, thethin film encapsulation layer TFE directly covers the second electrodeCE. In some embodiments of the inventive concept, a capping layercovering the second electrode CE may be further disposed between thethin film encapsulation layer TFE and the second electrode CE. In someembodiments, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may directly coverthe capping layer.

FIGS. 7A-7C are cross-sectional views of thin film encapsulation layersTFE1, TFE2, and TFE3 according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE1 may includen inorganic layers (or inorganic thin films) IOL1 to IOLn. The thin filmencapsulation layer TFE1 may include n−1 organic layers (or organic thinfilms) OL1 to OLn-1, and the n−1 organic layers OL1 to OLn-1 and the ninorganic layers IOL1 to IOLn may be alternately disposed with respectto each other. Each of the n−1 organic layers OL1 to OLn-1 may generallyhave a thickness that is greater than a thickness of each of the ninorganic layers IOL1 to IOLn.

Each of the n inorganic thin films IOL1 to IOLn may have a singlelayered structure including one material or may have a multi-layeredstructure respectively including materials that are different from eachother. Each of the n−1 organic thin films OL1 to OLn-1 may be formed byproviding an organic monomer. For example, each of the n−1 organiclayers OL1 to OLn-1 may be formed by using an inkjet printing manner ormay be formed by applying a composition including an acrylic-basedmonomer.

Referring to FIGS. 7B-7C, the inorganic layers provided in each of thethin film encapsulation layers TFE2 and TFE3 may be formed of the samematerial or of materials that are different from each other and may havethe same thickness or may have thicknesses that are different from eachother. The organic layers provided in each of the thin filmencapsulation layers TFE2 and TFE3 may be formed of the same organicmaterial or may be formed of organic materials that are different fromeach other and may have the same thickness or may have thicknesses thatare different from each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE2 mayinclude a first inorganic layer IOL1, a first organic layer OL1, asecond inorganic layer IOL2, a second organic layer OL2, and a thirdinorganic layer IOL3, which are successively laminated. The firstinorganic layer IOL1 may have a two-layered structure. A first sub-layerS1 and a second sub-layer S2 of the first inorganic layer IOL1 mayinclude inorganic materials that are different from each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 7C, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE3 mayinclude a first inorganic layer IOL10, a first organic layer OL1, and asecond inorganic layer IOL20, which are successively laminated. Thefirst inorganic layer IOL10 may have a two-layered structure. A firstsub-layer S10 and a second sub-layer S20 of the first inorganic layerIOL10 may include inorganic materials that are different from eachother.

The second inorganic layer IOL20 may have a two-layered structure. Thesecond inorganic layer IOL20 may include a first sub-layer S100 and asecond sub-layer S200, which may be deposited under depositionenvironments that are different from each other. The first sub-layerS100 may be deposited under a lower power condition, and the secondsub-layer S200 may be deposited under a high power condition. The firstsub-layer S100 and the second sub-layer S200 may include the samematerial.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensing unit TS accordingto an embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 8B is a plan view of thetouch sensing unit TS of FIG. 8A. FIGS. 8C-8E are plan viewsrespectively illustrating layers of the touch sensing unit TS of FIG.8B.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the touch sensing unit TS may include a firstconductive layer (or first conductive patterns) TS-CL1, a first touchinsulation layer TS-IL1, a second conductive layer (or second conductivepatterns) TS-CL2, and a second touch insulation layer TS-IL2. The firstconductive layer TS-CL1 may be directly disposed on the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE. However, embodiments of the inventive conceptare not limited thereto. For example, a buffer layer may be disposedbetween the first conductive layer TS-CL1 and the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE, and the first conductive layer TS-CL1 may bedisposed on the buffer layer. The buffer layer may include an inorganiclayer and/or an organic layer.

Each of the first conductive layer TS-CL1 and the second conductivelayer TS-CL2 may have a single-layered structure or a multi-layeredstructure in which a plurality of layers are stacked in the thirddirectional axis DR3. The conductive layer having the multi-layeredstructure may include a transparent conductive layer and at least twometal layers. The at least two metal layers may include metals that aredifferent from each other. The transparent conductive layer may includeindium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO),indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT),a metal nanowire, and/or graphene. The metal layer may be formed ofmolybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, and/or an alloy thereof.

Each of the first and second conductive layers TS-CL1 and TS-CL2 mayinclude a plurality of patterns. Hereinafter, an example in which thefirst conductive layer TS-CL1 includes first conductive patterns, andthe second conducive layer TS-CL2 includes second conductive patterns isdescribed. Each of the first and second conductive layers TS-CL1 andTS-CL2 may include touch electrodes and touch signal lines.

Each of the first and second touch insulation layers TS-IL1 and TS-IL2may be formed of inorganic and/or organic material. The inorganicmaterial may include at least one of oxide, such as titanium oxide,silicon oxide, silicon oxide nitride, zirconium oxide and hafnium oxide.The organic material may include at least one of an acrylic-based resin,a methacrylic-based resin, a polyisoprene-based resin, a vinyl-basedresin, an epoxy-based resin, a urethane-based resin, a cellulose-basedresin, a siloxane-based resin, a polyimide-based resin, apolyamide-based resin, and a perylene-based resin.

Each of the first and second touch insulation layers TS-IL1 and TS-IL2may have a single layer structure or multi-layered structure. Each ofthe first and second touch insulation layers TS-IL1 and TS-IL2 mayinclude at least one of an inorganic layer and an organic layer. Theinorganic layer and the organic layer may be formed through a chemicalvapor deposition method.

When the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1 insulates the first andsecond conductive layers TS-CL1 and TS-CL2 from each other, embodimentsof the inventive concept are not limited to the shape of the first touchinsulation layer TS-IL1 as depicted in FIG. 8A. For example, the firsttouch insulation layer TS-IL1 may have any suitable shape according tothe shapes of the first and second conductive patterns. The first touchinsulation layer TS-IL1 may entirely cover the thin film encapsulationlayer TFE (or may cover the thin film encapsulation layer TFE in itsentirety) or may include a plurality of insulation patterns. Theplurality of insulation patterns may only overlap first connection partsCP1 or may only overlap second connection parts CP2.

Although a two-layered touch sensing unit is illustrated as an examplein the present embodiment, embodiments of the inventive concept are notlimited thereto. A single layer touch sensing unit may include aconductive layer and an insulation layer covering the conductive layer.The conductive layer may include touch sensors and touch signal linesconnected to the touch sensors. The single layer touch sensing unit mayacquire coordinate information in a self-capacitance manner.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the touch sensing unit TS includes first touchelectrodes TE1, first touch signal lines TSL1 connected to the firsttouch electrodes TE1, second touch electrodes TE2, second touch signallines TSL2 connected to the second touch electrodes TE2, and touch padparts TPD, each touch pad part TPD being connected to one of the firsttouch signal lines TSL1 or one of the second touch signal lines TSL2.The first touch electrodes TE1, the second touch electrodes TE2, and thefirst and second touch signal lines TSL1 and TSL2 may be disposed on (orin) the display area DA, and the touch pad parts TPD may be disposed on(or in) the non-display area NDA.

Each of the first touch electrodes TE1 may have a mesh shape in which aplurality of touch openings is defined. The first touch electrodes TE1extend in (or along) the first direction DR1 and are arranged in (oralong) the second direction DR2. Each of the first touch electrodes TE1includes a plurality of first touch sensing parts SP1 and a plurality offirst connection parts CP1. The first touch sensing parts SP1 arearranged in (or along) the first direction DR1. Each of the firstconnection parts CP1 connects two adjacent first touch sensing partsSP1. In some embodiments, each of the first touch signal lines TSL1 mayalso have a mesh shape.

The second touch electrodes TE2 are insulated from the first touchelectrodes TE1 and cross the first touch electrodes TE1. Each of thesecond touch electrodes TE2 may have a mesh shape in which a pluralityof touch openings is defined. The second touch electrodes TE2 extend in(or along) the second direction DR2 and are arranged in (or along) thefirst direction DR1. Each of the second touch electrodes TE2 includes aplurality of second touch sensing parts SP2 and a plurality of secondconnection parts CP2. The second touch sensing parts SP2 are arranged in(or along) the second direction DR2. Each of the second connection partsCP2 connects two adjacent second touch sensing parts SP2. In someembodiments, each of the second touch signal lines TSL2 may also have amesh shape.

The first touch electrodes TE1 and the second touch electrodes TE2 arealternately disposed without overlapping each other. The first andsecond touch electrodes TE1 and TE2 are capacitance-coupled to eachother. Because touch detection signals are applied to the first touchelectrodes TE1, capacitors are disposed between the first touch sensingparts SP1 and the second touch sensing parts SP2.

Portions of the first touch sensing parts SP1, the first connectionparts CP1, and the first touch signal lines TSL1 and portions of thesecond touch sensing parts SP2, the second connection parts CP2, and thesecond touch signal lines TSL2 may be formed by patterning the firstconductive layer TS-CL1 (see FIG. 8A), and remaining portions of thefirst touch sensing parts SP1, the first connection parts CP1, and thefirst touch signal lines TSL1 and remaining portions of the second touchsensing parts SP2, the second connection parts CP2, and the second touchsignal lines TSL2 may be formed by patterning the second conductivelayer TS-CL2 (see FIG. 8A). To electrically connect the conductivepatterns disposed on layers different from each other, a contact hole CHpassing through the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1 (see FIG. 8D)may be defined.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the first conductive patterns TS-CL1 are disposedon the thin film encapsulation layer TFE. The first conductive patternsTS-CL1 may include bridge patterns CP1 corresponding to the firstconnection parts CP1 of FIG. 8B. The bridge patterns CP1 may be disposedon the thin film encapsulation layer TFE.

The first connection parts CP1 may not cross the second connection partsCP2, but may extend to cross the adjacent second touch sensing partsSP2. A specific shape of each of the first connection parts CP1 isdescribed further below with reference to FIGS. 10A-10C.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1 coveringthe bridge patterns CP1 is disposed on the thin film encapsulation layerTFE. The contact holes CH that partially expose the bridge patterns CP1are defined in the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1. The contactholes CH may be formed through a photolithography process.

Referring to FIG. 8E, the second conductive layer TS-CL2 is disposed onthe first touch insulation layer TS-IL1. The second conductive layerTS-CL2 may include the first touch sensing parts SP1, the secondconnection parts CP2, the first touch signal lines TSL1, the secondtouch sensing part SP2, and the second touch signal lines TSL2. In someembodiments, the second touch insulation layer TS-IL2 covering thesecond conductive layer TS-CL2 is disposed on the first touch insulationlayer TS-IL1. The first connection parts CP1 may connect the first touchsensing parts SP1 to each other through the plurality of contact holesCH defined to pass through the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1.

However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto.For example, the first conductive layer TS-CL1 may include the firsttouch electrodes TE1, the first connection parts CP1, and the firsttouch signal lines TSL1. The second conductive layer TS-CL2 may includethe second touch electrodes TE2, the second connection parts CP2, andthe second touch signal lines TSL2. As such, the contact holes CH maynot be defined in the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1 (e.g., thecontact holes CH may be omitted). Also, in an embodiment of theinventive concept, the first conductive layer TS-CL1 and the secondconductive layer TS-CL2 may be exchanged with each other. For example,the second conductive layer TS-CL2 may include the bridge patterns CP1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a first area A1 illustrated in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9 illustrates a shape of each of the pixels PX according to anembodiment of the inventive concept. For convenience of description,FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of the pixels PX together with the firstand second touch sensing parts SP1 and SP2.

The pixels PX include a plurality of pixel areas PXA and non-pixel areasNPXA around the pixel areas PXA. Each of the pixel areas PXA maycorrespond to the emission area PXA of FIG. 6C. The pixel areas PXA maydisplay a red, a green, and/or a blue color. However, embodiments of theinventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, the pixel areasPXA may further include pixels for displaying a magenta, a cyan, and/ora white color. Each of the pixel areas PXA may have various sizesaccording to a color to be displayed thereon.

A direction crossing the first and second directions DR1 and DR2 on aplane parallel to the first and second directions DR1 and DR2 may bedefined as a first diagonal direction DDR1. Also, a direction crossingthe first diagonal direction DDR1 on the plane parallel to the first andsecond directions DR1 and DR2 may be defined as a second diagonaldirection DDR2. Each of the pixel areas PXA may have a diamond shape,and the pixel areas PXA may be arranged in (or along) the first andsecond diagonal directions DDR1 and DDR2.

The first and second touch sensing parts SP1 and SP2 having the meshshape may be disposed to overlap the non-pixel area NPXA. The first andsecond touch sensing parts SP1 and SP2 may define touch openings TOP.Each of the touch openings TOP of the first and second touch sensingparts SP1 and SP2 may have a shape corresponding to that of each of thepixel areas PXA, for example, each of the touch openings TOP may have aparallelogram or a diamond shape corresponding to that of each of thepixel areas PXA. The pixel areas PXA except for the pixel areas PXA,which are adjacent to surroundings of the first and second touch sensingparts SP1 and SP2, of the pixel areas PXA may overlap the touch openingsTOP of the first and second touch sensing parts SP1 and SP2. Each of thetouch openings TOP may have a size corresponding to that of the pixelareas PXA.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged plan view of a second area A2 of FIG. 8B. FIG.10B is a plan view illustrating the first and second touch sensing partsSP1 and SP2 and the second connection part CP2 of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C isa plan view illustrating the first connection part CP1 of FIG. 10A.

For convenience of description, touch openings TOP of FIGS. 10A and 10Bare illustrated in the same size and shape so that only the mesh shapeis illustrated without the touch openings have sizes that are differentfrom each other. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are notlimited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the first connection part CP1extends to connect two adjacent first touch sensing parts SP1 to eachother without overlapping the second connection part CP2. The secondconnection part CP2 connects two adjacent second touch sensing parts SP2to each other.

The second connection part CP2, the first touch sensing parts SP1, andthe second touch sensing parts SP2 may be patterned at the same time (orconcurrently) by using the same material. The first connection part CP1extends to cross the second touch sensing parts SP2 at an area (e.g., apredetermined area) of each of the second touch sensing parts SP2adjacent to the second connection part CP2 to connect the first touchsensing parts SP1 to each other. The first connection part CP1 isinsulated from the second touch sensing parts SP2 by the first touchinsulation layer TS-IL1. For example, in some areas of adjacent ones ofthe second touch sensing parts SP2, the first connection part CP1extends parallel to a part of mesh lines of the adjacent ones of thesecond touch sensing parts SP2 and to cross another part of the meshlines of adjacent ones of the second touch sensing parts SP2. As such,the first connection part CP1 may extend to cross the second touchsensing parts SP2 with the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1therebetween.

For example, each of the first touch sensing parts SP1 includes aplurality of first branch parts BP1 extending in (or along) the firstdiagonal direction DDR1 and a plurality of second branch parts BP2extending in (or along) the second diagonal direction DDR2 to cross thefirst branch parts BP1. The first branch parts BP1 and the second branchparts BP2 may be connected to each other to define the plurality oftouch openings TOP. The first branch parts BP1 and the second branchparts BP2 may be integrated with each other (e.g., may be integrallyformed). Each of the first and second branch parts BP1 and BP2 may bedefined as a mesh line.

The first branch parts BP1 may extend further outwardly in (or along)the first diagonal direction DDR1 than outermost second branch partsBP2. The second branch parts BP2 may extend further outwardly in (oralong) the second diagonal direction DDR2 than outermost first branchparts BP1.

Each of the second touch sensing parts SP2 may include a plurality ofthird branch parts BP3 extending in (or along) the first diagonaldirection DDR1 and a plurality of fourth branch parts BP4 extending in(or along) the second diagonal direction DDR2 to cross the third branchparts BP3. The third branch parts BP3 and the fourth branch parts BP4may be connected to each other to define the plurality of touch openingsTOP. The third branch parts BP3 and the fourth branch parts BP4 may beintegrated with each other (e.g., may be integrally formed). Each of thethird branch parts BP3 and the fourth branch parts BP4 may be defined asa mesh line. The mesh line may have a line width of several micrometers.

The third branch parts BP3 may extend further outwardly in (or along)the first diagonal direction DDR1 than outermost fourth branch partsBP4. The fourth branch parts BP4 may extend further outwardly in (oralong) the second diagonal direction DDR2 than outermost third branchparts BP3.

The first connection part CP1 includes a first extension part EX1 and asecond extension part EX2 having a shape that is symmetrical (orsubstantially symmetrical) to that of the first extension part EX1. Thefirst extension part EX1 and the second extension part EX2 may bedisposed with the second connection part CP2 therebetween and thus maynot overlap the second connection part CP2.

The adjacent first touch sensing parts SP1 may include a first sub-touchsensing part SSP1_1 and a second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2 disposedabove the first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1 on the plane parallel tothe first and second directions DR1 and DR2. The adjacent second touchsensing parts SP2 may include a third sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1 anda fourth sub-touch sensing part SSP2_2 disposed at a left side of thethird sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1 on the plane parallel to the firstand second directions DR1 and DR2.

The first extension part EX1 may cross one second touch sensing part SP2(e.g., may cross the third sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1) of theadjacent second touch sensing parts SP2 to connect the adjacent firsttouch sensing parts SP1 to each other. The second extension part EX2 maycross the other second touch sensing part SP2 (e.g., may cross thefourth sub-touch sensing part SSP2_2) of the adjacent second touchsensing parts SP2 to connect the adjacent first touch sensing parts SP1to each other.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the first extension part EX1 ator near an end of the first extension part EX1 is connected to the firstsub-touch sensing part SSP1_1 through the plurality of contact holes CH.An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the first extension part EX1 ator near an opposite end of the first extension part EX1 is connected tothe second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2 through the plurality ofcontact holes CH.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the second extension part EX2 ator near an end of the second extension part EX2 is connected to thefirst sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1 through the plurality of contactholes CH. An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the second extensionpart EX2 at or near an opposite end of the second extension part EX2 isconnected to the second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2 through theplurality of contact holes CH. The first extension part EX1 may extendto cross the third sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1. The second extensionpart EX2 may extend to cross the fourth sub-touch sensing part SSP2_2.

The first extension part EX1 includes first and second sub-extensionparts EX1_1 and EX1_2 extending in (or along) the first diagonaldirection DDR1, third and fourth sub-extension parts EX1_3 and EX1_4extending in (or along) the second diagonal direction DDR2, a firstsub-connection part SCP1 extending in (or along) the second diagonaldirection DDR2, and a second sub-connection part SCP2 extending in (oralong) the first diagonal direction DDR1. The second sub-extension partEX1_2 has a length that is less than that of the first sub-extensionpart EX1_1, and the fourth sub-extension part EX1_4 has a length that isless than that of the third sub-extension part EX1_3. According to someembodiments of the present invention, a length of the firstsub-extension part EX1_1 may be equal to that of the third sub-extensionpart EX1_3, and a length of the second sub-extension part EX1_2 may beequal to that of the fourth sub-extension part EX1_4.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the first sub-extension partEX1_1 at or near a first end of the first sub-extension part EX1_1 isconnected to the first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1 through theplurality of contact holes CH. An area (e.g., a predetermined area) ofthe second sub-extension part EX1_2 at or near a first end of the secondsub-extension part EX1_2 is connected to the first sub-touch sensingpart SSP1_1 through the plurality of contact holes CH. For example,although the first and second sub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_2 may beconnected to the first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1 through two contactholes CH, respectively, the number of contact holes CH is not limitedthereto. For example, additional contact holes CH may be provided.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the third sub-extension partEX1_3 at or near a first end of the third sub-extension part EX1_3 isconnected to the second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2 through theplurality of contact holes CH. An area (e.g., a predetermined area) ofthe fourth sub-extension part EX1_4 at or near a first end of the fourthsub-extension part EX1_4 is connected to the second sub-touch sensingpart SSP1_2 through the plurality of contact holes CH. For example,although the third and fourth sub-extension parts EX1_3 and EX1_4 may beconnected to the second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2 through twocontact holes CH, respectively, the number of contact holes CH is notlimited thereto. For example, additional contact holes CH may beprovided.

A second end (e.g., an end opposite to the first end) of the firstsub-extension part EX1_1 is connected to a second end (e.g., an endopposite to the first end) of the third sub-extension part EX1_3, and asecond end (e.g., an end opposite to the first end) of the secondsub-extension part EX1_2 is connected to a second end (e.g., an endopposite to the first end) of the fourth sub-extension part EX1_4. Thefirst sub-connection part SCP1 extends from a second end (e.g., an endopposite to the first end) of the fourth sub-extension part EX1_4 in (oralong) the second diagonal direction DDR2 and is connected to the firstsub-extension part EX1_1. The second sub-extension part SCP2 extendsfrom a second end (e.g., an end opposite to the first end) of the secondsub-extension part EX1_2 in (or along) the first diagonal direction DDR1and is connected to the third sub-extension part EX1_3.

The first sub-extension part EX1_1, the second sub-extension part EX1_2,the third sub-extension part EX1_3, the fourth sub-extension part EX1_4,the first sub-connection part SCP1, and the second sub-connection partSCP2 may be integrated with each other (e.g., may be integrally formed).

The first and second sub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_2 may extend tocross ones of the fourth branch parts BP4 (e.g., a predetermined numberof the fourth branch parts BP4) of the third sub-touch sensing partSSP2_1. For example, although two of the fourth branch parts BP4 crossthe first and second sub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_2 in FIG. 10A,the number of fourth branch parts BP4 that cross the first and secondsub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_2 is not limited thereto. The thirdbranch parts BP3 of the third sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1 may not bedisposed on (or in) areas that overlap the first and secondsub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_2 and the second sub-connection partSCP2.

The third and fourth sub-extension parts EX1_3 and EX1_4 may extend tocross ones of the third branch parts BP3 (e.g., a predetermined numberof third branch parts BP3) of the third sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1.For example, although two of the third branch parts BP3 cross the thirdand fourth sub-extension parts EX1_3 and EX1_4 in FIG. 10A, the numberof third branch parts BP3 that cross the third and fourth sub-extensionparts EX1_3 and EX1_4 is not limited thereto. The fourth branch partsBP4 of the third sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1 may not be disposed onareas that overlap the third and fourth sub-extension parts EX1_3 andEX1_4 and the first sub-connection part SCP1.

As used herein, each of a configuration in which the first and secondsub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_2 are disposed to cross the fourthbranch parts BP4 and a configuration in which the third and fourthsub-extension parts EX1_3 and EX1_4 are disposed to cross the thirdbranch parts BP3 may be referred to as a “point-overlapping”configuration.

The second extension part EX2 includes fifth and sixth sub-extensionparts EX2_1 and EX2_2 extending in (or along) the second diagonaldirection DDR2, seventh and eighth sub-extension parts EX2_3 and EX2_4extending in (or along) the first diagonal direction DDR1, a thirdsub-connection part SCP3 extending in (or along) the first diagonaldirection DDR1, and a fourth sub-connection part SCP4 extending in (oralong) the second diagonal direction DDR2.

Because the second extension part EX2 has a structure that issymmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) to the first extension partEX1, the fifth to eighth sub-extension parts EX2_1, EX2_2, EX2_3 andEX2_4 and the third and fourth sub-connection parts SCP3 and SCP4 mayhave structures that are symmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) tothe first to fourth sub-extension parts EX1_1, EX1_2, EX1_3, and EX1_4and the first and second sub-connection parts SCP1 and SCP2,respectively. Thus, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of each of thefifth to eighth sub-extension parts EX2_1, EX2_2, EX2_3, and EX2_4, ator near a first end of each of the fifth to eighth sub-extension partsEX2_1, EX2_2, EX2_3, and EX2_4, is connected to one of the first andsecond sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 and SSP1_2 through the pluralityof contact holes CH.

The fifth to eighth sub-extension parts EX2_1, EX2_2, EX2_3, and EX2_4may connect the first and second sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 andSSP1_2 to each other via the fourth sub-touch sensing part SSP2_2 in thesame (or substantially the same) manner in which the first to fourthsub-extension parts EX1_1, EX1_2, EX1_3, and EX1_4 connect the first andsecond sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 and SSP1_2 to each other via thethird sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1. The third and fourth branch partsBP3 and BP4 of the fourth sub-touch sensing part SSP2_2 may not bedisposed on areas that overlap the fifth to eighth sub-extension partsEX2_1, EX2_2, EX2_3, and EX2_4 and the third and fourth connection partsSCP3 and SCP4.

Because the second extension part EX2 has a structure that issymmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) to the first extension partEX1, additional description of the second extension part EX2 may beomitted.

The second connection part CP2 has a mesh structure and connects thethird sub-touch sensing part SSP2_1 to the fourth sub-touch sensing partSSP2_2. Although the second connection part CP2 having a configurationin which two diamond (or parallelogram) shapes are connected to eachother is illustrated in FIG. 10A, the configuration of the secondconnection part CP2 is not limited thereto.

When the first connection part CP1 having the mesh shape extends tooverlap the second connection part CP2 and is connected to the firsttouch sensing parts SP1, a portion (e.g., a predetermined portion) ofthe first connection part CP1 may line-overlap a portion (e.g., apredetermined portion) of the second connection part CP2. As usedherein, the term “line-overlapping” may be defined as a state in which abranch part of the first connection part CP1 and a branch part of thesecond connection part CP2, which extend in the same direction, overlapeach other.

In some embodiments, a capacitor may be disposed between the firstconnection part CP1 and the second connection part CP2 to increaseparasitic capacitance. When the parasitic capacitance increases, thetouch sensing signal may not be normally outputted. Also, the firstconnection part CP1 and the second connection part CP2 may beshort-circuited at the line-overlapping portion during the manufacturingprocess. As a result, the touch sensing unit TS may have reducedreliability.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the first connection part CP1does not overlap the second connection part CP2 and extends topoint-overlap the second touch sensing parts SP2 adjacent thereto toconnect the adjacent first touch sensing parts SP1 to each other. Thus,the parasitic capacitance of the touch sensing unit TS may be reduced.Also, because the short-circuit between the first and second connectionparts CP1 and CP2 during the manufacturing process is prevented (or alikelihood thereof is reduced), the touch sensing unit TS may haveimproved reliability. As a result, the display apparatus DD may haveimproved reliability.

FIGS. 11-24 are plan views illustrating a portion of the touch sensingunit according to various embodiments of the inventive concept.

For convenience of description, FIGS. 11-24 illustrate plan viewscorresponding to the second area A2 of FIG. 10A.

Hereinafter, constitutions of the touch sensing unit according tovarious embodiments of the inventive concept will be described withreference to FIGS. 11-24 . Differences between the touch sensing unit ofFIGS. 11-24 according to various embodiments and the touch sensing unitTS of FIGS. 10A-10C are primarily described, and non-explained portionsrefer to the descriptions related to the touch sensing unit TS of FIG.8B and FIGS. 10A-10C.

Referring to FIG. 11 , a first connection part CP1_1 includes first andsecond extension parts EX3 and EX4 with a second connection part CP2therebetween. The first and second extension parts EX3 and EX4 aresymmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) to each other.

The first extension part EX3 includes first, second, third, and fourthsub-extension parts EX3_1, EX3_2, EX3_3, and EX3_4 and first and secondsub-connection parts SCP1_1 and SCP1_2. Each of the first and thirdsub-extension parts EX3_1 and EX3_3 has a length that is less than thatof each of the first and third sub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_3 ofFIG. 10A, and each of the second and fourth sub-extension parts EX3_2and EX3_4 has a length that is less than that of each of the second andfourth sub-extension parts EX1_2 and EX1_4 of FIG. 10A. Each of thesecond and fourth sub-extension parts EX3_2 and EX3_4 has a length thatis less than that of each of the first and third sub-extension partsEX3_1 and EX3_3.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of each of the first to fourthsub-extension parts EX3_1, EX3_2, EX3_3, and EX3_4 at or near respectivefirst ends of each of the first to fourth sub-extension parts EX3_1,EX3_2, EX3_3, and EX3_4 is respectively connected to one of the firstand second sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 and SSP1_2 through one contacthole CH. Other constituents of the first extension part EX3 may besubstantially the same as those of the first extension part EX1 of FIG.10A, and thus, additional description with respect to the firstextension part EX3 may be omitted.

The second extension part EX4 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthsub-extension parts EX4_1, EX4_2, EX4_3, and EX4_4 and third and fourthsub-connection parts SCP2_1 and SCP2_2. Each of the fifth and seventhsub-extension parts EX4_1 and EX4_3 has a length that is less than thatof each of the fifth and seventh sub-extension parts EX2_1 and EX2_3 ofFIG. 10A, and each of the sixth and eighth sub-extension parts EX4_2 andEX4_4 has a length that is less than that of each of the sixth andeighth sub-extension parts EX2_2 and EX2_4 of FIG. 10A. Each of thesixth and eighth sub-extension parts EX4_2 and EX4_4 has a length thatis less than that of each of the fifth and seventh sub-extension partsEX4_1 and EX4_3.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of each of the fifth to eighthsub-extension parts EX4_1, EX4_2, EX4_3, and EX4_4 at or near respectivefirst ends of each of the fifth to eighth sub-extension parts EX4_1,EX4_2, EX4_3, and EX4_4, is respectively connected to one of the firstand second sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 and SSP1_2 through one contacthole CH. Other constituents of the second extension part EX4 may besubstantially the same as those of the second extension part EX2 of FIG.10A, and thus, additional description with respect to the secondextension part EX4 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 12 , a first connection part CP1_2 includes first andsecond extension parts EX5 and EX6 with a second connection part CP2therebetween. The first and second extension parts EX5 and EX6 aresymmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) to each other.

The first extension part EX5 includes first, second, third, and fourthsub-extension parts EX5_1, EX5_2, EX5_3, and EX5_4 and first and secondsub-connection parts SCP3_1 and SCP3_2. Each of the first and thirdsub-extension parts EX5_1 and EX5_3 has a length that is greater thanthat of each of the first and third sub-extension parts EX1_1 and EX1_3of FIG. 10A, and each of the second and fourth sub-extension parts EX5_2and EX5_4 has a length that is greater than that of each of the secondand fourth sub-extension parts EX1_2 and EX1_4 of FIG. 10A. Each of thesecond and fourth sub-extension parts EX5_2 and EX5_4 has a length thatis less than that of each of the first and third sub-extension partsEX5_1 and EX5_3.

The second extension part EX6 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthsub-extension parts EX6_1, EX6_2, EX6_3, and EX6_4 and third and fourthsub-connection parts SCP4_1 and SCP4_2. Each of the fifth and seventhsub-extension parts EX6_1 and EX6_3 has a length that is greater thanthat of each of the fifth and seventh sub-extension parts EX2_1 andEX2_3 of FIG. 10A, and each of the sixth and eighth sub-extension partsEX6_2 and EX6_4 has a length that is greater than that of each of thesixth and eighth sub-extension parts EX2_2 and EX2_4 of FIG. 10A. Eachof the sixth and eighth sub-extension parts EX6_2 and EX6_4 has a lengththat is less than that of each of the fifth and seventh sub-extensionparts EX6_1 and EX6_3.

A first end of the first sub-extension part EX5_1 is connected to afirst end of the fifth sub-extension part EX6_1, and a first end of thesecond sub-extension part EX5_2 is connected to a first end of the sixthsub-extension part EX6_2. A first end of the third sub-extension partEX5_3 is connected to a first end of the seventh sub-extension partEX6_3, and a first end of the fourth sub-extension part EX5_4 isconnected to a first end of the eighth sub-extension part EX6_4.

The first end of the first sub-extension part EX5_1 and the first end ofthe fifth sub-extension part EX6_1 may share one contact hole CH and maybe connected to the first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1. The first endof the second sub-extension part EX5_2 and the first end of the sixthsub-extension part EX6_2 may share one contact hole CH and may beconnected to the first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1.

The first end of the third sub-extension part EX5_3 and the first end ofthe seventh sub-extension part EX6_3 may share one contact hole CH andmay be connected to the second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2. The firstend of the fourth sub-extension part EX5_4 and the first end of theeighth sub-extension part EX6_4 may share one contact hole CH and may beconnected to the second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2. Otherconstituents of the first and second extension parts EX5 and EX6 may besubstantially the same as those of the first and second extension partEX1 and EX2 of FIG. 10A, and thus, additional descriptions with respectto the first and second extension parts EX5 and EX6 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 13 , a first extension part EX7 of a first connectionpart CP1_3 includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-extension partsEX7_1, EX7_2, EX7_3, and EX7_4 and first and second sub-connection partsSCP5_1 and SCPS_2, and a second extension part EX8 of the firstconnection part CP1_3 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthsub-extension parts EX8_1, EX8_2, EX8_3, and EX8_4 and third and fourthsub-connection parts SCP6_1 and SCP6_2.

The first and second extension parts EX7 and EX8 may have substantiallythe same constitution as the first and second extension parts EX5 andEX6 of FIG. 12 except for the number of contact holes CH that areprovided to connect the first and second extension parts EX7 and EX8 tothe first and second sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 and SSP1_2.

For example, first ends of the first and fifth sub-extension parts EX7_1and EX8_1 may share one contact hole CH and may be connected to thefirst sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1, and first ends of the second andsixth sub-extension parts EX7_2 and EX8_2 may share one contact hole CHand may be connected to the first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1. Forexample, first ends of the third and seventh sub-extension parts EX7_3and EX8_3 may share one contact hole CH and may be connected to thesecond sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2, and first ends of the fourth andeighth sub-extension parts EX7_4 and EX8_4 may share one contact hole CHand may be connected to the second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2.

Also, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the first sub-extensionpart EX7_1 at or near the first end of the first sub-extension partEX7_1, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the second sub-extensionpart EX7_2 at or near the first end of the second sub-extension partEX7_2, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the fifth sub-extensionpart EX8_1 at or near the first end of the fifth sub-extension partEX8_1, and an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the sixthsub-extension part EX8_2 at or near the first end of the sixthsub-extension part EX8_2 may be connected to the first sub-touch sensingpart SSP1_1 through the plurality of contact holes CH. Although fourcontact holes CH are illustrated in FIG. 13 , the number of contactholes CH is not limited thereto.

Also, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the third sub-extensionpart EX7_3 at or near the first end of the third sub-extension partEX7_3, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the fourth sub-extensionpart EX7_4 at or near the first end of the fourth sub-extension partEX7_4, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the seventh sub-extensionpart EX8_3 at or near the first end of the seventh sub-extension partEX8_3, and an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the eighthsub-extension part EX8_4 at or near the first end of the eighthsub-extension part EX8_4 may be connected to the second sub-touchsensing part SSP1_2 through the plurality of contact holes CH. Althoughfour contact holes CH are illustrated in FIG. 13 , the number of contactholes CH is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 14 , the first and second touch sensing parts SP1 andSP2 and the first and second connection parts CP1_4 and CP2, which areillustrated in FIG. 14 , are disposed on the bent area BA. Referring toFIG. 14 , a first extension part EX9 of a first connection part CP1_4includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-extension parts EX9_1,EX9_2, EX9_3, and EX9_4 and first and second sub-connection parts SCP7_1and SCP7_2, and a second extension part EX10 of the first connectionpart CP1_4 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth sub-extensionparts EX10_1, EX10_2, EX10_3, and EX10_4 and third and fourthsub-connection parts SCP8_1 and SCP8_2.

Also, the first extension part EX9 includes a plurality of protrusionsP, which respectively protrude from a connection portion between thefirst sub-extension part EX9_1 and the third sub-extension part EX9_3 in(or along) the first and second diagonal directions DDR1 and DDR2, fromthe first sub-connection part SCP7_1 in (or along) the second diagonaldirection DDR2 to protrude further outwardly than the firstsub-extension part EX9_1, and from the second sub-connection part SCP7_2in (or along) the first diagonal direction DDR1 to protrude furtheroutwardly than the third sub-extension part EX9_3.

Because the second extension parts EX10 are symmetrical (orsubstantially symmetrical) to the first extension parts EX9 and havesubstantially the same constitution as the first extension parts EX9,the second extension parts EX10 may also include a plurality ofprotrusions P that are symmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) to theprotrusions P of the first extension parts EX9. The first and secondextension parts EX9 and EX10 may have the same (or substantially thesame) constitution (or configuration) as the first and second extensionparts EX1 and EX2 of FIG. 10A except for the protrusions P.

The protrusions P are disposed to overlap adjacent third and fourthbranch parts BP3 and BP4. When the protrusions P are not provided, andthe bent area BA is bent, cracks may occur in boundaries between thefirst and third sub-extension parts EX9_1 and EX9_3 and boundariesbetween the fifth and seventh sub-extension parts EX10_1 and EX10_3 atthe third and fourth branch parts BP3 and BP4. However, because theprotrusions P are disposed to overlap the adjacent third and fourthbranch parts BP3 and BP4, the occurrence of cracks in the boundariesbetween the first and third sub-extension parts EX9_1 and EX9_3 and theboundaries between the fifth and seventh sub-extension parts EX10_1 andEX10_3 at the third and fourth branch parts BP3 and BP4 may be prevented(or the likelihood thereof may be reduced).

Referring to FIG. 15 , a first connection part CP1_5 includes first andsecond extension parts EX11 and EX12 with a second connection part CP2therebetween.

The first extension part EX11 includes first and second sub-extensionparts EX11_1 and EX11_2 respectively extending in (or along) the firstand second diagonal directions DDR1 and DDR2, and the second extensionpart EX12 includes third and fourth sub-extension parts EX12_1 andEX12_2 respectively extending in (or along) the second and firstdiagonal directions DDR2 and DDR1. The first and second sub-extensionparts EX11_1 and EX11_2 are symmetrical (or substantially symmetrical)to the third and fourth sub-extension parts EX12_1 and EX12_2,respectively.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of each of the first and thirdsub-extension parts EX11_1 and EX12_1 at or near respective first endsof each of the first and third sub-extension parts EX11_1 and EX12_1 isrespectively connected to the first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1. Anarea (e.g., a predetermined area) of each of the second and fourthsub-extension parts EX11_2 and EX12_2 at or near respective first endsof each of the second and fourth sub-extension parts EX11_2 and EX12_2is respectively connected to the second sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2. Asecond end (e.g., an end opposite to the first end) of the firstsub-extension part EX11_1 is connected to a second end (e.g., an endopposite to the first end) of the second sub-extension part EX11_2, anda second end (e.g., an end opposite to the first end) of the thirdsub-extension part EX12_1 is connected to a second end (e.g., an endopposite to the first end) of the fourth sub-extension part EX12_2.

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of each of the first to fourthsub-extension parts EX11_1, EX11_2, EX12_1, and EX12_2 at or near therespective first ends of each of the first to fourth sub-extension partsEX11_1, EX11_2, EX12_1, and EX12_2 is respectively connected to one ofthe first or second sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 or SSP1_2 through onecontact hole CH.

A configuration in which the first extension part EX11 crosses the thirdsub-touch sensing part SSP2_1 and a configuration in which the secondextension part EX12 crosses the fourth sub-touch sensing part SSP2_2 aresubstantially the same as that in which the first and second extensionparts EX1 and EX2 of FIG. 10A cross the third and fourth sub-touchsensing parts SSP2_1 and SSP2_2, and thus, additional descriptionthereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 16 , a first extension part EX13 of a first connectionpart CP1_6 includes first and second sub-extension parts EX13_1 andEX13_2, and a second extension part EX14 of the first connection partCP1_6 includes third and fourth sub-extension parts EX14_1 and EX14_2.Each of the first to fourth sub-extension parts EX13_1, EX13_2, EX14_1,and EX14_2 has a length that is greater than that of each of the firstto fourth sub-extension parts EX11_1, EX11_2, EX12_1, and EX12_2 of FIG.15 .

An area (e.g., a predetermined area) of each of the first to fourthsub-extension parts EX13_1, EX13_2, EX14_1, and EX14_2 at or nearrespective first ends of each of the first to fourth sub-extension partsEX13_1, EX13_2, EX14_1, and EX14_2 is respectively connected to one ofthe first or second sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 or SSP1_2 through onecontact hole CH. Other constituents of the first and second extensionparts EX13 and EX14 may be substantially the same as those of the firstand second extension part EX11 and EX12 of FIG. 15 , and thus,additional descriptions with respect to the first and second extensionparts EX13 and EX14 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 17 , a first extension part EX15 of a first connectionpart CP1_7 includes first and second sub-extension parts EX15_1 andEX15_2, and a second extension part EX16 of the first connection partCP1_7 includes third and fourth sub-extension parts EX16_1 and EX16_2.Each of the first to fourth sub-extension parts EX15_1, EX15_2, EX16_1,and EX16_2 has a length that is greater than that of each of the firstto fourth sub-extension parts EX13_1, EX13_2, EX14_1, and EX14_2 of FIG.16 .

A first end of the first sub-extension part EX15_1 is connected to afirst end of the third sub-extension part EX16_1, and a first end of thesecond sub-extension part EX15_2 is connected to a first end of thefourth sub-extension part EX16_2. The first end of the firstsub-extension part EX15_1 and the first end of the third sub-extensionpart EX16_1 may share one contact hole CH and may be connected to thefirst sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1. The first end of the secondsub-extension part EX15_2 and the first end of the fourth sub-extensionpart EX16_2 may share one contact hole CH and may be connected to thesecond sub-touch sensing part SSP1_2.

Other constituents of the first and second extension parts EX15 and EX16may be substantially the same as those of the first and second extensionpart EX13 and EX14 of FIG. 16 , and thus, additional descriptions withrespect to the first and second extension parts EX15 and EX16 may beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 18 , a first extension part EX17 of a first connectionpart CP1_8 includes first and second sub-extension parts EX17_1 andEX17_2, and a second extension part EX18 of the first connection partCP1_8 includes third and fourth sub-extension parts EX18_1 and EX18_2.

The first and second extension parts EX17 and EX18 have substantiallythe same constitution as the first and second extension parts EX15 andEX16 of FIG. 17 except for the number of contact holes CH that areprovided to connect the first and second extension parts EX17 and EX18to the first and second sub-touch sensing parts SSP1_1 and SSP1_2.

Particularly, first ends of the first and third sub-extension partsEX17_1 and EX18_1 may share one contact hole CH and may be connected tothe first sub-touch sensing part SSP1_1, and first ends of the secondand fourth sub-extension parts EX17_2 and EX18_2 may share one contacthole CH and may be connected to the second sub-touch sensing partSSP1_2.

Also, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the first sub-extensionpart EX17_1 at or near the first end of the first sub-extension partEX17_1, and an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the thirdsub-extension part EX18_1 at or near the first end of the thirdsub-extension part EX18_1 are connected to the first sub-touch sensingpart SSP1_1 through the plurality of contact holes CH. For example,although two contact holes CH are illustrated, the number of contactholes CH is not limited thereto.

Also, an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the second sub-extensionpart EX17_2 at or near the first end of the second sub-extension partEX17_2, and an area (e.g., a predetermined area) of the fourthsub-extension part EX18_2 at or near the first end of the fourthsub-extension part EX18_2 are connected to the second sub-touch sensingpart SSP1_2 through the plurality of contact holes CH. For example,although two contact holes CH are illustrated, the number of contactholes CH is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 19 , a first extension part EX19 of a first connectionpart CP1_9 includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-extension partsEX19_1, EX19_2, EX19_3, and EX19_4, and a second extension part EX20 ofthe first connection part CP1_9 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, andeighth sub-extension parts EX20_1, EX20_2, EX20_3, and EX20_4.

Because the first and second extension parts EX19 and EX20 havesubstantially the same constitution as the first and second extensionparts EX3 and EX4 of FIG. 11 except for the first to fourthsub-connection parts SCP1_1, SCP1_2, SCP2_1, and SCP2_2 of FIG. 11 ,additional descriptions with respect to the first and second extensionparts EX19 and EX20 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 20 , a first extension part EX21 of a first connectionpart CP1_10 includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-extensionparts EX21_1, EX21_2, EX21_3, and EX21_4, and a second extension partEX22 of the first connection part CP1_10 includes fifth, sixth, seventh,and eighth sub-extension parts EX22_1, EX22_2, EX22_3, and EX22_4.

Because the first and second extension parts EX21 and EX22 havesubstantially the same constitution as the first and second extensionparts EX1 and EX2 of FIG. 10A except for the first to fourthsub-connection parts SCP1, SCP2, SCP3, and SCP4 of FIG. 10A, additionaldescriptions with respect to the first and second extension parts EX21and EX22 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 21 , a first extension part EX23 of a first connectionpart CP1_11 includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-extensionparts EX23_1, EX23_2, EX23_3, and EX23_4, and a second extension partEX24 of the first connection part CP1_11 includes fifth, sixth, seventh,and eighth sub-extension parts EX24_1, EX24_2, EX24_3, and EX24_4.

Because the first and second extension parts EX23 and EX24 havesubstantially the same constitution as the first and second extensionparts EX5 and EX6 of FIG. 12 except for the first to fourthsub-connection parts SCP3_1, SCP3_2, SCP4_1, and SCP4_2 of FIG. 12 ,additional descriptions with respect to the first and second extensionparts EX23 and EX24 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 22 , a first extension part EX25 of a first connectionpart CP1_12 includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-extensionparts EX25_1, EX25_2, EX25_3, and EX25_4, and a second extension partEX26 of the first connection part CP1_12 includes fifth, sixth, seventh,and eighth sub-extension parts EX26_1, EX26_2, EX26_3, and EX26_4.

Because the first and second extension parts EX25 and EX26 havesubstantially the same constitution as the first and second extensionparts EX7 and EX8 of FIG. 13 except for the first to fourthsub-connection parts SCP5_1, SCP5_2, SCP6_1, and SCP6_2 of FIG. 13 ,additional descriptions with respect to the first and second extensionparts EX25 and EX26 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 23 , a first connection part CP1_13 has a meshstructure that is equal to (or the same as) that of the secondconnection part CP2 of FIG. 10A and that connects the first touchsensing parts SP1 to each other. A second connection part CP2_1 hassubstantially the same constitution as the first connection part CP1 ofFIG. 10A and connects the second touch sensing parts SP2 to each other.

For example, the second connection part CP2_1 may be equal to (or thesame as) a configuration in which the first connection part CP1 of FIG.10A rotates by about 90 degrees and also may extend to cross the firsttouch sensing parts SP1 and be connected to the second touch sensingparts SP2. A constitution (or configuration) in which the secondconnection part CP2_1 crosses the first touch sensing parts SP1 issubstantially the same as that in which the first connection part CP1 ofFIG. 10A crosses the second touch sensing parts SP2. Thus, additionaldescriptions with respect to the first and second connection partsCP1_13 and CP2_1 and the first and second touch sensing parts SP1 andSP2 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 24 , a first connection part CP1_14 connects adjacentfirst touch sensing parts SP1 to each other in (or along) the firstdirection DR1. A second connection part CP2 connects adjacent secondtouch sensing parts SP2 to each other in (or along) the second directionDR2.

The first connection part CP1_14 may be bent at least one time to extendfrom one of the first and second diagonal directions DDR1 and DDR2 tothe other of the second and first diagonal directions DDR2 and DDR1. Thefirst connection part CP1_14 includes first and second extension partsEX29 and EX30, which are symmetrical (or substantially symmetrical) toeach other. Each of the first and second extension parts EX29 and EX30may bent at least one time to extend from one of the first and seconddiagonal directions DDR1 and DDR2 to the other of the second and firstdiagonal directions DDR2 and DDR1.

For example, the first extension part EX29 may be bent to extend fromthe first diagonal direction DDR1 to the second diagonal direction DDR2and from the second diagonal direction DDR2 to the first diagonaldirection DDR1. The second extension part EX30 may be bent to extendfrom the second diagonal direction DDR2 to the first diagonal directionDDR1 to and from the first diagonal direction DDR1 to the seconddiagonal direction DDR2.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, each of the first and secondextension parts EX29 and EX30 may be bent to extend at least three timesfrom the first and second diagonal directions DDR1 and DDR2 to thesecond and first diagonal directions DDR2 and DDR1. However, embodimentsof the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, each ofthe first and second extension parts EX29 and EX30 may be bent to extendat least one time. A central portion of the first extension part EX29and a central portion of the second extension part EX30 may be formed asbent portions and may connected to each other.

The second connection part CP2 includes a mesh line MCL having a diamondshape (or a parallelogram shape). The mesh line MCL includes a pluralityof fifth branch parts BP5 extending in (or along) the first diagonaldirection DDR1 and a plurality of sixth branch parts BP6 extending in(or along) the second diagonal direction DDR2. The fifth and sixthbranch parts BP5 and BP6 may be connected to each other to form adiamond shape (or a parallelogram shape). For example, although the meshline MCL having one diamond (or parallelogram) shape is illustrated inFIG. 24 , the number of diamond (or parallelogram) shapes is not limitedthereto. When a plurality of diamond (or parallelogram) shapes isprovided, the mesh lines MCL may have the mesh shape.

The first and second extension parts EX29 and EX30 of the firstconnection part CP1_14 are insulated from the second connection part CP2by the first touch insulation layer TS-IL1 and extend to cross the meshlines MCL of the second connection part CP2. For example, the firstconnection part CP1_14 may not line-overlap the second connection partCP2, but may point-overlap the second connection part CP2. Thus, theparasitic capacitance may be reduced, and a short-circuit between thefirst and second connection parts CP1_14 and CP2 (e.g., during amanufacturing process) may be prevented, or the likelihood thereof maybe reduced.

According to embodiments of the inventive concept, the first connectionpart of the touch sensing unit may extend to point overlap the secondtouch sensing parts that are adjacent to each other without lineoverlapping the second connection part, thereby connecting the firsttouch sensing parts to each other. Thus, the parasitic capacitance ofthe touch sensing unit may be reduced, and a short-circuit between thefirst and second connection parts (e.g., during the manufacturingprocess) may be prevented (or the likelihood thereof may be reduced),thereby improving reliability of the display apparatus.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the inventive concept. Thus,it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display panel;and a touch sensing unit on the display panel, the touch sensing unitcomprising: a plurality of first touch sensing parts arranged with eachother along a first direction; a first conductive part located betweenadjacent ones of the first touch sensing parts along the firstdirection; a plurality of second touch sensing parts arranged with eachother along a second direction crossing the first direction; and asecond conductive part located between adjacent ones of the second touchsensing parts along the second direction, wherein the first conductivepart comprises a first extension part comprising a plurality ofsub-extension parts overlapping one of the adjacent ones of the secondtouch sensing parts and extending parallel to each other, and havingdifferent lengths.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedisplay panel comprises: a pixel; and a thin encapsulation layer on thepixel, wherein the thin encapsulation layer comprises a plurality ofinsulation layers and the first conductive part is located directly onan uppermost insulating layer of the insulating layers.
 3. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the first conductive part is locateddirectly on the thin encapsulation layer, and the first and second touchsensing parts and the second conductive part are on the first conductivepart.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality offirst and second touch sensing parts have a mesh shape, wherein parts ofthe first conductive part overlap the adjacent ones of the second touchsensing parts, and wherein in an area overlapping the first conductivepart, the adjacent ones of the second touch sensing parts do not includemesh lines extending parallel to lines of the first conductive part. 5.The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second conductive part hasa mesh shape and the first conductive part does not overlap the secondconductive part.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingan insulation layer on the first conductive part, and wherein theplurality of first touch sensing parts, the plurality of second touchsensing parts, and the second conductive part are on the insulationlayer.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conductivepart further comprises a second extension part, wherein the firstextension part has a first opening, wherein the second extension parthas a second opening and separated from the first opening, and whereinthe first opening of the first extension part overlaps one of adjacentones of the second touch sensing parts and the second opening of thesecond extension part overlaps an other one of the adjacent ones of thesecond touch sensing parts.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe adjacent ones of the first touch sensing parts comprise: a firstsub-touch sensing part; and a second sub-touch sensing part on a sameplane as the first sub-touch sensing part, the plane being parallel tothe first and second directions, wherein the adjacent ones of the secondtouch sensing parts comprise: a third sub-touch sensing part; and afourth sub-touch sensing part, wherein the first opening overlaps thethird sub-touch sensing part, and the second opening overlaps the fourthsub-touch sensing part, and wherein the first extension part crosses thethird sub-touch sensing part to connect the adjacent ones of the firsttouch sensing parts to each other, wherein the second extension part hasa structure that is substantially symmetrical to the first extensionpart and crosses the fourth sub-touch sensing part to connect theadjacent ones of the first touch sensing parts to each other, andwherein the second conductive part is located between the firstextension part and the second extension part.
 9. The display apparatusof claim 8, wherein the second conductive part connects the thirdsub-touch sensing part to the fourth sub-touch sensing part.
 10. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 8, wherein an area of the first extensionpart near a first end of the first extension part is connected to thefirst sub-touch sensing part, wherein an area of the first extensionpart near a second end opposite to the first end of the first extensionpart is connected to the second sub-touch sensing part, and wherein thefirst extension part extends to cross the third sub-touch sensing part.11. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein an area of the secondextension part near a first end of the second extension part isconnected to the first sub-touch sensing part, wherein an area of thesecond extension part near a second end opposite to the first end of thesecond extension part is connected to the second sub-touch sensing part,and wherein the second extension part extends to cross the fourthsub-touch sensing part.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 8, whereineach of the first and second sub-touch sensing parts comprises: aplurality of first branch parts extending in a first diagonal directioncrossing the first and second directions on the plane; and a pluralityof second branch parts extending in a second diagonal direction crossingthe first diagonal direction on the plane to cross the first branchparts, the second branch parts being connected to the first branchparts, and wherein each of the third and fourth sub-touch sensing partscomprises: a plurality of third branch parts extending in the firstdiagonal direction; and a plurality of fourth branch parts extending inthe second diagonal direction to cross the third branch parts, thefourth branch parts being connected to the third branch parts.
 13. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of sub-extensionparts comprises: a first sub-extension part extending in the firstdiagonal direction; and a second sub-extension part extending in thefirst diagonal direction, the second sub-extension part having a lengththat is less than a length of the first sub-extension part, wherein thefirst extension part further comprises: a third sub-extension partextending in the second diagonal direction; a fourth sub-extension partextending in the second diagonal direction, the fourth sub-extensionpart having a length that is less than a length of the thirdsub-extension part; a first sub-conductive part extending in the seconddiagonal direction; and a second sub-conductive part extending in thefirst diagonal direction, wherein an area of the first sub-extensionpart near a first end of the first sub-extension part and an area of thesecond sub-extension part near a first end of the second sub-extensionpart are connected to the first sub-touch sensing part, wherein an areaof the third sub-extension part near a first end of the thirdsub-extension part and an area of the fourth sub-extension part near afirst end of the fourth sub-extension part are connected to the secondsub-touch sensing part, wherein a second end of the first sub-extensionpart opposite to the first end of the first sub-extension part isconnected a second end of the third sub-extension part opposite to thefirst end of the third sub-extension part, wherein a second end of thesecond sub-extension part opposite to the first end of the secondsub-extension part is connected to a second end of the fourthsub-extension part opposite to the first end of the fourth sub-extensionpart, wherein the first sub-conductive part extends from the second endof the fourth sub-extension part in the second diagonal direction and isconnected to the first sub-extension part, and wherein the secondsub-conductive part extends from the second end of the secondsub-extension part in the first diagonal direction and is connected tothe third sub-extension part.
 14. The display apparatus of claim 13,wherein the first to fourth sub-extension parts and the first and secondsub-conductive parts are integrated with each other.
 15. The displayapparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second sub-extension partsextend to cross ones of the fourth branch parts from among the pluralityof fourth branch parts of the third sub-touch sensing part, and whereinthe third and fourth sub-extension parts extend to cross ones of thethird branch parts from among the plurality of third branch parts of thethird sub-touch sensing part.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 13,wherein the third branch parts of the third sub-touch sensing part donot overlap the first and second sub-extension parts and the secondsub-conductive part, wherein the fourth branch parts of the thirdsub-touch sensing part do not overlap the third and fourth sub-extensionparts and the first sub-conductive part, and wherein the fourthsub-touch sensing part has a structure that is substantially symmetricalto a structure of the third sub-touch sensing part.
 17. The displayapparatus of claim 13, wherein the second extension part comprises afifth sub-extension part, a sixth sub-extension part, a seventhsub-extension part, an eighth sub-extension part, a third sub-conductivepart, and a fourth sub-conductive part, which respectively havestructures that are respectively symmetrical to the first sub-extensionpart, the second sub-extension part, the third sub-extension part, thefourth sub-extension part, the first sub-conductive part, and the secondsub-conductive part.
 18. The display apparatus of claim 17, wherein anarea of each of the first to eighth sub-extension parts near respectivefirst ends of the first to eighth sub-extension parts is respectivelyconnected to one of the first sub-touch sensing part or the secondsub-touch sensing part through a plurality of contact holes in theinsulation layer.